tell me all about make up please

[momb]

Here's a topic I never thought I'd use!
I'm 4 with generally good skin and never wear make up. I have a makeup bag and it contains the eyeshadow I wore to get married in 1991.
I own a tinted moisturiser which I usually don't use as in the absence of other make up I look ghostly.
So, I'm getting married in August this year. There will be photos. I will have uneven tan marks on my face, lots of freckles and I wear glasses so my eyes look bigger than they are.
Help me please! A friend recommended minerals? I've seen an advert for something call sheer cover which seems minerally. I honestly have no idea what to buy. The lady in Boots was less than helpful, but she had eyeshadow up to her hairline and is therefore not to be trusted anyway. I just need something which is easy to put on, looks natural, and makes me look 'not made up' per se for my wedding day. I may never wear the makeup again but as it's my wedding I am prepared to spend some money.
Thanks in advance for your expert assistance.

[Ihatemytoes]

I think 4 is too young to wear make up. Or get married.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Go to Debenhams and see a woman on the Bare Minerals counter, it's the same a sheer cover but cheaper. Explain you're getting married and need a natural look. Ask for a tester and say you'll be back if you get on with it at home. They have drawers of samples and are happy to give them away.

Congrats

[MyMILisfromHELL]

You're 4 & wear make up?

Seriously, book yourself a practice session with a make up artist to learn the basics of make up application & what suits you, whilst also covering bridal make up,you'll need to book well in advance for the day.

Good luck & congrats X

[Germanwife]

Congratulations op!

Agree with pp that your best bet is to go to a make up counter and explain what kind of make up/look you would like. For this, I really rate MAC and Bobbi Brown. Both have easy to wear make up (but are pricier). With both, you can book in sessions, some are free if you just want them to eg show you how to choose and use a foundation but some at Bobbi Brown are proper hour long tutorials and are charged.

For practicing with cheaper brands, I recommend Bourjois for eyeshadow and blush, Sleek (Superdrug) for blush and pretty much anything and Superdrug's B brand. Lots of lovely stuff also at Revlon and Maybelline (mascaras)

Check out Sali Hughes' s column in the Guardian, she has lots of beauty recommendations, tips, videos and budget buys.

YouTube has tons of make up videos - if you search for your particular concern you will find it for sure.

Oh, lastly, I think it's easier to apply make up to moisturised skin - you don't mention the condition yours is in so in sure it's great. But if not, a good moisturiser, exfoliant and a face oil at night go a long way! I love boots botanics range if you are on a budget.

Hope that helps. :)

[nicelyneurotic]

Agree that you should book a practise session with a makeup artist. I did years ago and got loads of great tips. They also use a range of products - not just from one brand - so you can get good recommendations.

[ZacharyQuack]

Have a look at Lisa Eldridge's website, she has lots of videos, including basics

[momb]

45! I'm 45. Tried to repost a little while ago but MN just buffered and buffered.
Thanks for all the advice!
I do moisturise and my skin is pretty good, apart from the uneven tanning in the summer, which I get even with a SPF moisturiser.

[murphys]

Congratulations.

Will you use the make up again that you are going to buy? If the chances are that you wont, why don't you go and have your makeup done by someone for your wedding day. Then you wont have the expense of buying products that will just expire.

[FrugalFashionista]

Op get your makeup done by a pro (you can specify a barely there look). There are all kinds of pitfalls to foundations, some of them turn ghostly white in photos, so I would rely on a pro to get it right. If you insist on doing it yourself, practice and take pictures of it before having your wedding photos done. But if you are inexperienced with makeup, doing it yourself will only add hassles to a day that you should be able to enjoy worry free!

[momb]

I don't think I'll be able to have a pro MUA. I'll have plenty to do on the day as I'm mostly DIYing and have 5 daughters' hair to do as well as make the bouquets and buttonholes.
Apparently they like to allow an hour, which I just won't have.
I'll research further into the white out with some foundations: it's something I hadn't considered. Thanks

[HelloBoys]

Bobbi Brown - hands down - they will give you a lesson and also have the best natural but pretty makeup.

I was always scared off them until I saw them last year and they're amazing. very flattering and no hard sell.

[pearlbutter]

I went to Bobbi Brown for a make up lesson for my wedding as well, can really recommend it. Got married 18 months ago and still have loads of the make up left. I do still use them but not every day. It was pretty expensive though to buy the products, I'm used to paying for drugstore brands so wouldn't want to shell out for all of it if I was never going to wear it again. And if you don't wear make up at all now, you'll also need to buy brushes which can be pricey for decent ones.

[nicelyneurotic]

I think it's the high SPF in some foundations that can give a white face in photos taken with a flash. However, I wore foundation with SPF 15 on my wedding day with no problems.

[squoosh]

If it's just for the day and you don't plan to wear makeup again I'd just hire a makeup artist to do it for you. Less waste.

[Deathwatchbeetle]

Agree with Squoosh.

But won't hurt to check out Lisa Eldridge on you tube - she has some a bridal make up just to give you an idea of what you would like.

[mewkins]

I went to a clinique counter for a lesson. They colour matched a very fine powder, concealer and eye palette which I bought. Then I just bought other stuff- mascara , smokey eyeliner and blusher from the high street. It probably spent about 60quid in all and used the make up afterwards. Clinique is pretty good as they do natural make up pretty well. If you get some, could you have a practise with a friend or one of your daughters so you are confident is using them on the day?

[Claxonia]

I also had a lesson at a Bobbi Brown counter and then did my own makeup for my wedding with the same products. I was very happy with it and they are definitely great products for a natural look. Would also recommend the MUA fixing spray from Superdrug (£5 I think) as it really helps for staying power.